A land steeped in ancient tradition and presence, Makuria had converted to Christendom but a few decades before the arrival of Islam, yet so brief a moment of connection with Christian Byzantium and Egypt has not led to their faith to waiver. On the contrary, in the face of the Caliphate's armies it was only in Nubia where at the Battle of Dongola in 652 AD, the Arabs suffered their only major defeat in the first century of Islamic Expansion. Truly, facing a reality of being surrounded on all but one side by Muslim powers, the resolve in their faith and sovereignty has been strengthened. The Kingdom of Makuria does not stand alone as a Christian Power of Africa, having merged with the kingdom of Nobatia in the north, and holding a strong kinship with Alwa in the south of the Sudan, and powerful Abyssinia even further south.While the Islamic world experienced upheaval and disruption by the rise and fall of successors to the fracturing Caliphate, the Makurians experienced a prosperous and stable growth, becoming the one who would interfere in the affairs of their neighbors instead of the other way around. Rumours abound of a Nubian army sacking Cairo in the eight century to defend their Coptic Brethren, who had looked to the Nubians for protection. Such a golden age continued for the Makurians even as the waters of the Nile were calmed, and the Fatimids came to rule. Truly, the enemy of an enemy was a friend, and for a Shi'ite Dynasty seen as the heretics by their fellow Muslims, African Christians would have seemed as close to their faith as the Sunni Dynasties which saw Egypt as Infidels to Overthrow.But the warm relations of Makuria and Egypt would come to an end with the fall of it’s Shi’ite Dynasty at the hands of Saladin and his Uncle Shirkuh in 1171. With strong intent to oust the Christian Franks from the Holy Lands, it would come as little surprise that the eyes of Saladin and the newly born Ayyubid Dynasty look with suspicion upon a kingdom friendly to its two greatest foes. As the last vestiges of the Fatimids vanish with the death of their Caliph in 1171, it has come to be a question not of if the Ayyubids shall face the Makurians but when.Once more do the waves of Islam crash upon the shore of East Africa, and once more are the Makurians upon the vanguard of the defenders, assuming their historical destiny as the sentinel of Nubia and Abyssinia. Never has a kingdom of Nubia or lands further south ever extended into Asia, yet never were the Arabs in the first hundred years of Islamic Expansion beaten in a major battle save for when they fought the Makurians.

6 ratings
Legendary unit
Aggressive shock-infantry armed with the two-handed Dembus mace, a weapon vicious against cavalry as well as infantry.

3

50

Makurian Longbowmenmissile infantryExceptional Archers wielding the accurate and deadly longbow of Nubia, well armored compared to their bow and javelin-armed peers, and capable light infantry if forced into melee.

5 ratings
Legendary unit
Exceptional Archers wielding the accurate and deadly longbow of Nubia, well armored compared to their bow and javelin-armed peers, and capable light infantry if forced into melee.

Sudanese Longbowmenmissile infantryUnarmored Archers from the lands of Nubia. Poor in receiving enemy attacks, but exceptional archers great at guerrilla fighting.

60

Amhara infantrymissile infantryLight Hybrid Infantry, armed with a straight sword, buckler, and a set of javelins. Well suited to an offensive or light defensive role, be it as skirmishers or as infantry.

50

Makurian Longbowmenmissile infantryExceptional Archers wielding the accurate and deadly longbow of Nubia, well armored compared to their bow and javelin-armed peers, and capable light infantry if forced into melee.

30

Omoro Raiderslight cavalryLight cavalry skirmishers, good on the attack be it with sword or javelin, but with poor armor, they cannot stand up in a pitched melee. Best used to harass and harry the enemy.

30

Axumite Light Cavalrylight cavalryLight cavalry, better used to harass or harry skirmishers and light infantry, and not commit to rapid attack and withdrawl.

Bharat Light Spearmenspearmen infantryLacking in any armor, these spearmen should only be used for defense in cities or to attack cavalry, not as a standing force.

60

Bharat Armoured Spearmenspearmen infantryLoyal to their families and to defending their homes, these soldiers fight with spirit. Effective defensively or versus cavalry, but cannot stand under overwhelming missile fire.

50

Indian Swordsmenlight infantryQuality infantry with sharp scimitars. They can wreak havoc in enemy spearmen ranks, but are vulnerable to a cavalry charge.

60

Hindu Longbowmenmissile infantryUsing their longbows, these young men are effective against most enemies.

60

Tribal Indian Javelinmenmissile infantryLight and mobile, the javelin is an ideal infantry weapon. These men can disrupt enemy’s ranks efficiently, but fear cavalry flanks.

Agnivanshi Rajput Asvakalight cavalryKshatriya of the "fire sprung" clans, descending from Agni, the Hindu God of Fire. They fight only for those of their fire-borne lineage as rough-riding light lancers.

Anatolikoi Eugeneisheavy cavalryLight-Medium cavalry, less eager in their service to non-Greek lords but far from irresponsible in their task as lancers who can either perform 'razzia' charge and retreat or something more dedicated.

Nomad Lancerslight cavalryFinally able to afford good weapons, but still keeping light, these soldiers can deliver a surprising punch to enemy troops.

25

Karakalpak Noblesheavy cavalryArmored, motivated medium horse archers armed with saber, shield, bow and arrow. Still best served in a skirmishing role, rather than that of shock cavalry.

60

Caucasus Hillmenmissile infantryLight javelin-bearing Irregulars with little more motivation than bandits, best served in guerilla warfare or idle harassment of the enemy.

60

Azat Archersmissile infantryArmored archers from the ancestral homelands of Armenians, adept at marksmanship and limited melee.

50

Shubosani Molashqrespearmen infantryGeorgian Militia and conscripted part time soldiers, equipped by feudal lord or invading power in cheap leather and mail to serve as light spearmen.

25

Aznauri Noblesheavy cavalryLance and bow armed heavy cavalry.

60

Ahdath Infantryspearmen infantryA militia levied from the villages, farms and cities of the Islamic world, they possess fleeting discipline and moral and should be expected of little beyond the garrisoning of their homelands, or bolstering an army by sheer force of numbers.

60

Ahdath Bowmenmissile infantry

60

Harafisha Volunteerslight infantryUndisciplined light infantry best used as throw-away warriors, garrison work, or a means to bulk up one's numbers.

30

Ajnad Horsemenlight cavalryProvincial horsemen of various backgrounds fighting as light lancers, well suited to 'Razzia' charge-retreating or a sustained assault on horsemen of similar worth or disorganized infantry.

60

Kurdish Javelinmenmissile infantryJavelinmen from the hills of northern Iraq.

50

Kurdish Swordsmenheavy infantryKurdish tribesmen of strong and reliable abilities, clad in medium armor and more than capable in close combat.

Beja Tribesmenspearmen infantryIll-disciplined unarmored spearmen, best used on the attack or in support of more capable spearmen.

60

Afari Skirmishersmissile infantryUnarmored Nomads used to tribal feuds and hunting, brave enough before they realize most every foe they face will be better armed and armored than they.

30

Sudanese Tribal Cavalrylight cavalrySudanese cavalry mercenaries who are poorly armoured but whose unpredictable tactics make them fearsome enemies, and bolster a flagging army.

50

Zanji Mercenariesmissile infantryStrong infantry mercenaries from the Zanji, they will fight to the death.

20

Askari Noblesheavy cavalryThe Arab equivalent of a Feudal Knight, these warriors possess the same martial spirit as their foe's, possessing a greater mobility though lacking their rival's tremendous charge.

40

Mutatawwi'a Warriorsspearmen infantryWell armored and highly motivated religious volunteers of military experience, participating in the age old tradition of the Jihad in defense of the Dar al-Islam.

30

Turcoman Noblesmissile cavalryLightly armored horse archers, best served to pepper the enemy with arrows before closing in with support from heavier cavalry or infantry.

25

Syrian Noblemenlight cavalryDisciplined and well trained cavalrymen from the lands of Syria.

25

Kurdish Peshmergaheavy cavalryMotivated, well armored medium shock cavalry best served in fighting other horsemen.

25

Arabian Shiekhslight cavalryDrawn from the ranks of older, more experienced elders of the tribes of Arabia, they wield javelin and sword as skilled raiding horsemen.

25

Dhiqan Lancersheavy cavalryMedium cavalry armed with lance and sword.

25

Khurasani Noblesheavy cavalryMedium Lancers, well served in a classic role of Near Eastern heavy cavalry.

30

Jagirdar Horse Archersmissile cavalryMedium Horse Archers armed with Composite Bow and Mace, capable in melee once their foe has been softened up.

50

Soomro Kshatriya Warriorsheavy infantryMobile medium infantry armed with straight sword and javelins, strong on offense and in support of defending spearmen.

Faction strength

Strong tribal attack infantry, javelins and bows.

Faction weakness

Lacks armour, no horse archers and poor early cavalry.

Special unit

Tribal Infantry

City Buildings List

Wooden Palisade (Upgrade)A Wooden Palisade gives a sense of security but is unlikely to delay determined attackers for very long.